<p>Anyone know from experience the best way to ship things to college for people who live a long distance from the school their child has chosen to attend? It is much cheaper for us to fly up with her at the start of school and plan to ship much of her stuff. Can you ship a bike or take on a plane?</p>
<p>What I found with Google, FWIW.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.wikihow.com/Ship-a-Bicycle-Cheaply[/url]”>http://www.wikihow.com/Ship-a-Bicycle-Cheaply</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/flying.htm[/url]”>http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/flying.htm</a></p>
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<p>Our hope is that we will be able to buy a cheap, used bicycle “up there.” My brother-in-law lives in the area, and has agreed to watch the Penny Saver for us.</p>
<p>If the bike is cheap, don’t bother shipping it as the student will be able to buy one just as cheap locally.</p>
<p>If the bike is expensive, don’t bother shipping it because it’s sure to be stolen within days. Around here, students have learned to use only cheap bikes.</p>
<p>Thanks. My D. loves her bike but she also may have to settle for something else.</p>
<p>Bike theft is a big problem on many campuses. My son has had two bikes stolen (a total of three thefts – on one occasion, a bike was stolen and returned!). He just acquired a new one – it’s a very cheap bike, but he bought a very expensive lock.</p>
<p>As for shipping things other than bikes, don’t assume that it’s necessarily OK for the stuff to arrive before the student does. It may be, but then again it may not. For example, at my daughter’s campus, it is generally not OK, but there is one company that has made special arrangements with the university to accept packages shipped in advance and deliver them to the dorms the day before move-in (of course, you pay extra for this service). You may find that similar services are available at your child’s campus.</p>
<p>For first college bound child, the whole family (5 of us) flew with him. Maybe overkill, but we all loved seeing where he was going to be. It was also part family vacation, part college visits for next in line sibling after we dropped him off. With that many going, we had plenty of airline allowance to take what he needed. Just had to rent a pretty big rig once we got there to hold us all! We used duffle bags when possible for easy storage and transport back home. We also knew we were going to buy certain items when we got to our destination, like pillows, a comforter, a dorm room rug, a lamp and other basic supplies. Once he was settled, he let me know other things he wished he had and it was easy to pack a box and send it. Sometimes it’s best to wait a bit and let them figure out what they really need before sending a bunch of stuff. In our case, we actually took some stuff back home with us he realized he wasn’t going to need once he had access to his small dorm room.</p>
<p>He initially thought he’d want a bike, then changed his mind. He was just going to buy a cheap one locally for all the reasons listed above. He might finally end up buying one this year as he may be living a bit further out. He’d prefer NOT to take his nice bike to school as he’d hate to “lose” it.</p>
<p>This year we’re taking a D to start college. Same basic plan with one less person tagging along. I’m thinking a girl may not be quite as easy, plus her school is a tad bit more remote and will require a more extensive wardrobe. We’re arriving a day early to pick up those bulky items at the nearest big box type store (which is a good hour away from the school, I think). We’ll probably be taking advantage of the BB&B order and hold for pick up program to make sure what she wants is available. Probably no bike for this one.</p>
<p>Just remember, those dorm rooms really are pretty small. S#1 felt living a rather spartan life has been the best way to go. He’s trying to make this point to his younger sister, but I don’t think she’s buying in yet.</p>
<p>Cheap shipping options from Hawaii include the USPS Priority Mail flat rate box and USPS media mail for actual media (books, CD’s, tapes). The USPS does open media mail to verify that the contents are indeed media, so do not place any “disqualifying” item in the package because you’re child will have to pay the difference in rates on receipt of the package.</p>
<p>Carrying a full allotment of baggage can be a cost effective means of getting gear to your child, especially if tickets are obtained from the airlines’ late reservation “fly next weekend” promotions. Perhaps a visit a few weeks into the term would allow inexpensive travel and a welcome visit while also allowing gear needs and storage availability to be more precisely identified.</p>
<p>p.s. If you do ship anything media mail, make sure to add insurance since those book boxes can receive rough treatment. (After college, I received a single book and a scrap of box with my address when my book box emerged from the USPS media mail system).</p>
<p>I remember one of my daughter’s former teachers telling us when he moved (basically across country) that he did it all using the train, I believe Amtrak, and it was very unexpensive. He only had a small two-seater car, and managed to get everything out there without hiring a moving company, renting a trailer, etc. I’d look into that. The hassle is getting it all to the train station, then picking it up when you get there.</p>
<p>I did a quick search since I last posted, and found this: </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Title_Image_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1080080554164&ssid=43[/url]”>http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Title_Image_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1080080554164&ssid=43</a></p>
<p>(it was kind of creepy reading the last bullet point on that page, though)</p>
<p>I was curious since this year we have to get daughter #1 (who will be a senior) to school 700 miles away from home, and three days later, get daughter #2 (a freshman) to school 800 miles away from home; they’re only 200 miles from each other, but daughter #1 has to have someone drive out with her in her car, which will not hold everything… she studied abroad last semester, and had to basically vacate all her belongings from her sorority house last December. I know Amtrak runs to her college town, but it doesn’t run to daughter #2’s college town.</p>
<p>If you and other family members are going to fly along with your D,remember you each can take two bags,plus carryon.This is what H and I did with S last year, for a total of 6 bags,only one of which was actually H and my things.We shipped out some stuff UPS Ground,based on the date the college said they would start accepting packages. We also bought some things in his new college city,including a mini fridge, TV, and preordered stuff from Bed Bath and Beyond.This summer he is storing most of his belongings at a Public Storage in that city,sharing with another student.
We shipped his bike,(H is a big biker and knows how to do this right) from a bike store here to a bike store in college town near the campus.Bike store will dissasemble,pack it up and ship,it was about 30$.On the other end,bike store received the bike,reassembled and did a minor tuneup.Another 50$.Onlyproblem was S was supposed to purchase a good U lock on that end,he forgot, and the bike was stolen (had a chain lock on it) fairly quickly. Bike theft is a big problem on most campuses.
He replaced the bike with a cheap model and bought a U lock.Bike is being stored along with his other stuff.</p>
<p>If you go to the luggage section for the airlines you’re considering, they say how much it costs to include a bike with luggage. Usually at least $50.</p>
<p>However, agree with those who said to buy an inexpensive or used bike near campus. </p>
<p>As for shipping…Southwest has allowed 3 checked bags, 50 lbs each. So…if two of you travel…that’s 300 lbs of stuff for no extra fee.</p>
<p>Fedex Ground service. Cheaper than UPS, insurance for the first $100 is included.</p>
<p>This reminds me, if you’re going to fly and use your family’s luggage as a way to get things there, find out the particular airline’s policy on reimbursing for lost luggage. It’s a horrible thought, but if it happens, will what you’re checking be worth more than the airline with give you? You can always take out extra insurance to cover the costs of the contents. Knowing what they cover might influence how you pack, so the costs are evened out among bags.</p>
<p>We moved D across the country. Shipping is expensive and a pain to pick up packages at most schools. Here is what we did that worked:</p>
<p>Tried to order everything we could at a local Bed Bath and Beyond and pick it up at the closest store near school. You pay when you pick up, can return or exchange at will. Easy.</p>
<p>Ordered from other places like Target, when we were offered free shipping for purchases over a certain amount.</p>
<p>Ordered all office supplies (which can be heavy) from Office Depot which offered free shipping for over $75. Got paper, printer ink, paper clips,…you name it. </p>
<p>Shipped some boxes of personal keepsake items and other things that were not from the above stores or already owned. Used UPS, because we are frequent shippers and every 5th box was discounted.</p>
<p>Each of us took 2 very large suitcases, mainly with clothing.</p>
<p>What blucroo said.</p>
<p>We went one day early and devoted that day to shopping. Rented a van or SUV (can’t remember which).</p>
<p>Plus, save up all of those BB&B 20% off coupons. You can use them ALL when you pay at the pick-up store. Expired or not. They take Linens 'n Things, too. Use as many coupons as you have items to check out.</p>
<p>I know it’s different for girls. 
But with DS, our 2 suitcases/person plus carry-on (there were 3 of us) were more than sufficient. And that included 2 speakers and a stereo in one of the suitcases, plus laptop in his backpack.</p>
<p>Watch the 50-lb/bag limits (or whatever your airline’s limits are) by weighing before you leave the house. And the dimension limits. But you can do it.</p>
<p>Anything she doesn’t already own, buy there.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if you can take a guitar as carry on when flying? I’ve not been able to find an answer on their website and have not yet worked my way through the airlines’ telephone maze to get an answer.</p>
<p>Generally, no. Be prepared to check it. My S has always had to check his. Occasionally I’ll hear of someone being allowed to carry it on, but I’ve never heard that first hand from anyone. Someone (a random passenger) complained to my D, who was carrying her violin on, that they made him check his guitar, and he didn’t think it was fair that she was allowed to carry her instrument.</p>
<p>We looked into this, too, as D wants to take my ancient guitar to grad school. After reading the airlines’ confusing info on the topic, we decided that she should buy an inexpensive guitar when she gets back there. The case that would be required to keep my guitar safe from baggage handling would be more expensive than a new instrument. I also read that they sometimes get “lost” on airlines, as well.</p>
<p>It sounds like your son’s guitar survived the trip, binx, but I’ll bet he felt a bit concerned about it during the flight.</p>
<p>I was pleasantly surprised that the college our son will attend has a contractual relationship with “Valet Today Campus” for shipping. I’ll compare it to these other methods for cost and convenience. It lists some colleges in every state.</p>
<p>Before you get too excited, do a search on CollegeBoxes.com or “they lost it all” on this forum.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=242980[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=242980</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=267700[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=267700</a></p>
<p>Read all the fine print, assume the worst, don’t store or ship anything you can’t afford to loose. You can pack it and call Fedex Ground for a pickup yourself. That’s all they do unless you are foolish enough to store it with them.</p>